C L I P S: Dan corrects a mistake regarding Jerry Green.. Library a haven in tough times.. Bernice: Q&A on 6th grade changes.. Obama 'potluck party' tonight..

PLAINFIELD

"Dan corrects a mistake regarding Assemblyman Green"
Reminder: All are invited to tonight's FREE 'Potluck Party' Obama celebration at Councilor & Mrs. Adrian Mapp's, 535 West 8th Street. Starts at 7 PM. Bring party food and beverage to share. Music by Joe Bonini.
Don't forget to vote in the poll on whether you would feel safer if top officials lived in Plainfield. Poll is at top of right-hand column here.

Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice: Q&A with Dr. Gallon on 6th Grade. Maria posts a useful link on understanding the current financial crisis. Olddoc seeks clarity on the City's foreclosure help support, comments on bloggers/ing, and notes he was sucker-punched by a pothole on Leland Avenue. PEPtalk gives tools for assessing the district's 'health grade' with reference to obesity. Another big burst from PPS News: a list of student Inauguration events (PDF), welcoming 6th grade, invite to Bilingual Parent Council, an Early Childhood Conference, and more. PSN reports PHS boys held off Eastside HS, but the Lady Cardinals were not so lucky against Westfield's Lady Blue Devils.

Plainfield Public Library: "Library a haven for those hit by job loss in downturn"

Dunellen: "Jefferson Avenue blaze leaves family homeless" -- Plainfield FD responded and the Tri-County Red Cross aided the family as well as providing cocoa and hot soup to the first responders.
North Plainfield: "Man robbed at gunpoint"
South Plainfield: "Truck spills huge pipes, injuring two" -- At Hamilton Blvd and New Market Rd.
MLK Observances --

"900 students march in Maplewood, as commemorations take on new meaning"
"Web site created to spark volunteer activities" -- Website is here.

False Workers' Comp Claim: "Boonton cop pleads guilty to insurance fraud"
Israel & Peace - Letter, CN: "I believe in a secure Israel" -- Rev. Nehemiah Thompson shares what he has learned from Israelis.
Inaugural Prayers: "As America has become more diverse, Inaugural prayers are less so. Why?"

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

PMUA 2009 CALENDAR: Click here for a printable, color-coded copy of the 2009 calendar; also available for pickup at the Plainfield Public Library and City Hall.
FY2009 BUDGET: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.
2009 MLK Events Calendar is online here. Events run through Monday, January 19th.
Today - January 17. 1 PM. MLK Events: 'Dare to Dream'. An afternoon of inspiration and fun for Plainfield youth. At Hubbard Middle School, 661 West 8th Street. Sponsored by Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
Tomorrow - January 18. 5:30 PM. MLK: A Day of Celebration. Communitywide service sponsored by Concerned Urban Clergy, with Apostle James I. Clark, Jr., of New York City as guest speaker. At Kings Temple Worship Center, 1020 West Seventh Street, Dr. Gary Kirkwood, host pastor. Kings Temple (formerly St. Stanislaus R.C. Church) has ample parking on site.
Monday - January 19. 8:30 AM. 33rd Annual MLK Breakfast: Kevin Powell. Join in the 33rd Annual Frontiers International MLK Memorial Breakfast. Guest Speaker: Kevin Powell, author, activist, Hip-Hop historian, and Congressional candidate. Raised in Jersey City and a Rutgers graduate, Powell is a longtime resident of Brooklyn. He authored The Black Male Handbook in 2008, a self-help book geared toward the healing, development and empowerment of Black men and boys. Tickets: $16/person, $12/students and seniors. Available from Realty World-Fredrica Williams, 490 Somerset Street, North Plainfield. Info and reservations: (908) 756-4663. At PHS Cafeteria (use Kenyon Avenue parking lot).
Monday - January 19. 3 PM (Roundtable), 4 PM (Service). Citywide MLK Commemorative Service. A roundtable by community leaders at 3 PM will be followed by the service at 4 PM, with the Rev. James S. Hall, Jr., Senior Pastor, Triumph Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA as the speaker. Sponsored by Shiloh Baptist Church, Dr. Gerald Lamont Thomas, host pastor. Shiloh Baptist Church is at 515 West 4th Street and has ample parking.
Tuesday - January 20. 10 AM - Noon. Live Inaugural Coverage on Library's 12-foot Screen. The momentous Inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States, and first African American president, will be broadcast live on the Library's 12-foot screen in the Anne Louise Davis Community Room. The Plainfield Public Library is at Park Avenue and 8th Street. Handicap-accessible. FREE.
Wednesday - January 21. 7:30 PM. Cultural & Heritage Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.
Friday - January 23. 9 AM - Noon. Financing Your Small Business. Workshop will cover important elements of finding financing for your small business. Sponsors include Kean U. Small Business Development Center, The Incubator and the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce. At: Business Resource Center, 2nd floor, County Office Building, 2nd and Park. Cost: $10. Snow date: January 30. Info and registration: (908) 737-4220 or email sbdc@kean.edu.
Saturday - January 24. 10 AM. Parental Workshops. Seven breakout sessions will include: Test preparation (Language, Math, ESL); Special ed; 'Getting ready for Kindergarten'; Childhood obesity; Gang violence; Basic computer skills; and the Parents Success Center. Sponsors: Plainfield Public Schools and PEP (Parents Empowering Parents). At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in the Spooner Avenue lot). Info: (908) 731-4333.
Saturday - January 24. 7:30 (Refreshments), 8:00 (Program). An Evening of Stand-up Comedy. Three stand-up comedians from Comedy Blast will present a laugh-filled evening. Sponsored by historic Church of The Holy Cross, Mercer and Washington Avenues, North Plainfield (one block west of Grove Street). $20/person. Reservations required. Info & reservations: (908) 756-2438.